Conor McGregor’s much-anticipated UFC return is on hold after the 35-year-old star suffered an “injury,” the company’s boss has confirmed.
McGregor was due to step step back into the octagon on June 29 to face off with Michael Chandler – almost three years after his last bout.
But just days before the Las Vegas bout at UFC 303, Dana White took to Instagram to confirm that the bout is no longer taken place, with a new bout to headline the show.
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He said: “’Alright guys, here I am again… Conor McGregor is out of 303 vs Michael Chandler with an injury.”
(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The injury was teased by MMA and wrestling journalist Ariel Helwani earlier in the day, claiming that he’d be surprised if it wasn’t announced – which it now has been. The extent of the injury has not yet been confirmed, but the match has now been replaced by Alex Pereira against Jiri Prochazka, and Brian Ortega taking on Diego Lopes in a joint main event.
Last year, the Daily Star chatted to Helwani about Mcgregor, who insisted that the Irishman had the “fire” to want to come back to fight in the UFC.
He said: “I wasn’t there for the beginning, but to meet a guy for the first time in 2013, who’s on welfare, that talks a big game, you never know what it’s gonna turn into – he’s talking about how he doesn’t have a car, or a pot to p*** in, clothes or things like that.
“And then to see him become one of the most famous athletes on the planet, let alone the face of MMA in the face of UFC. I mean, that period, from when he debuted was unlike anything. I just saw him last month in Dublin at his pub – it’s incredible to see what he’s built. I know that there’s a huge desire to see him come back, and I think we’ll see him come back.
“I think he wants to come back, and I think by this time next year, he will have already, it’s just a matter of where does he fit in – you’re going to see him at least once or twice.
“If he comes back next year, it’s like two and a half years – you wonder about the commitments and distractions, the motivation, things of that nature. So it’s hard to say.”
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